Hose coupling method and means

ABSTRACT

An integrally formed clamping band is initially offset from an end of an elastomeric hose, with a close fit on the relaxed normal outer diameter of the hose. A nipple, adapted for an interference fit with the bore of the hose, is inserted into the hose end to effect radial expansion of the hose bore. Upon axially opposed forces being applied to the nipple and hose, the outer diameter of the hose is sufficiently contracted for the cylindrical band to be freely movable along the contracted hose into a final clamping position over and around the nipple. Upon relaxation of the tension, the clamping band maintains clamping compression of the embraced section of the hose end of the nipple. In the case of braid reinforced hose, the braided reinforcement radially contracts the elastomeric hose wall material into tighter engagement with the nipple, upon the hose being subjected to tension. As an alternative to inducing tension in the hose, and after the nipple has been inserted into the hose end, the nipple and clamping band may be relatively oppositely moved to effect relative translation of the clamping band into final clamping position.

United States Patent Henson 1 Apr. 4, 1972 [54] HOSE COUPLING METHOD ANDMEANS [72] Inventor: John W. Henson, 57 East Providencia,

Burbank, Calif. 91502 [22] Filed: Feb. 9, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 9,893

Primary Examiner-Dave W. Arola Attorney-Fulwider, Patton, Rieber, Lee &Utecht [5 7] ABSTRACT An integrally formed clamping band is initiallyoffset from an end of an elastomeric hose, with a close fit on therelaxed normal outer diameter of the hose. A nipple, adapted for aninterference fit with the bore of the hose, is inserted into the hoseend to effect radial expansion of the hose bore. Upon axially opposedforces being applied to the nipple and hose, the outer diameter of thehose is sufficiently contracted for the cylindrical band to be freelymovable along the contracted hose into a final clamping position overand around the nipple. Upon relaxation of the tension, the clamping bandmaintains clamping compression of the embraced section of the hose endof the nipple. In the case of braid reinforced hose, the braidedreinforcement radially contracts the elastomeric hose wall material intotighter engagement with the nipple, upon the hose being subjected totension. As an alternative to inducing tension in the hose, and afterthe nipple has been inserted into the hose end, the nipple and clampingband may be relatively oppositely moved to effect relative translationof the clamping band into final clamping position.

18 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures HOSE COUPLING METHOD AND MEANS BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved method andmeans for coupling an end of an elastomeric hose to a nipple or thelike.

Conventional hose end couplings commonly comprise a serrated nippleinserted into the bore of an elastomeric hose with some form of externalsplit band or screw clamping means to hold the hose end tightly clampedonto the nipple. This arrangement is well known in connection with low,medium and high pressure hoses and couplings in which the hose sometimesmay be externally or internally reinforced by a cloth or wire braidedmaterial usually wound or woven helically along the length of the hose.However, in all cases of which I am aware, the clamping band takes theform of a split ring that is tightened by some additional mechanicalclamping means, or the clamping band is swaged, rolled or otherwisedeformed subsequent to being sliped over the hose end, or the hose wallis choked to far less than its original outer diameter in order toefiect the degree of clamping required for a secure connection. In noneof these cases is there provided any positive means to maintainsubstantially the original outer diameter of the portion of the hoseclamped within the band to confine an optimum amount of the hose wallmaterial in the annulus defined between the band and the nipple aroundwhich it is mounted, so as to avoid the danger of rupture of the tubewall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an improvedmethod and means for coupling elastomeric hoses to nipples or insertswithout the necessity of effecting any deformation or contraction of theband by means of swaging, rolling, mechanical tightening means or thelike, or choking of the outer diameter of the hose. The inventionprovides an integrally formed clamping band, ring or other means havinga fixed least diameter approximating the normal outer diameter of thehose on which used. Initially, the clamping means is telescopicallymounted on the hose at a position thereon axially spaced from anadjacent end of the hose a distance approximately corresponding to thelength of the nipple to be received within the hose end. The nipple isof a size or configuration adapted to provide an interference fit withthe hose bore and upon insertion into the bore radially elasticallyexpands the hose end. The means providing the interference fit betweenthe hose bore and nipple are also adapted to hold the parts togetherupon application of an elastically elongating force to the end portionof the hose. Such elongation constricts the outer diameter of the hosesufficiently for the clamping means to be advanced to a final clampingposition over the nipple. In the case of braid reinforced hose,subjecting the nipple mounted hose to tension causes a constriction indiameter in the reinforcing braid envelope to radially constrict andcompress the elastomeric material of the hose wall. As an alternative tocontracting the hose by tension, in the case of unreinforced orreinforced hose, the clamping means and hose carrying nipple may berelatively oppositely moved for shifting the clamping.

band to its final clamping position. Preferably, in order to provide aninterference fit and to prevent slipping or withdrawal of the hose endfrom the nipple during the intermediate steps of the process, the nippleis provided with one or more circumferential barbs and the clampingmeans assumes a final clamping position intermediate an adjacent pair ofsuch barbs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a view, partially in axialsection, of a hose end fitting and in unassembled relationship,illustrating a preliminary step in the method of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a view, partially in axial section, of an intermediate step inmaking the hose connection, with the fitting and hose endinterconnected.

FIG. 3 is a view, on an enlarged scale, showing the finally assembledfitting and hose.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT diameter of the hose whichaction, especially in the case of thin-walled hose mounted on a serratednipple, may result in excessive deformation of the hose wall materialand, perhaps, cutting thereof, resulting in an insecure mechanicalconnection which will also be productive of fluid leakage. The presentinvention provides clamping means for positively maintaining theoriginal outer diameter of the clamped section of the hose and, in usewith serrated nipples, provides a means of accurately locating theclamping means with respect to the barbs on the nipple to avoid cuttingthrough the tube wall.

Referring to the drawing, an illustrative hose, generally designated bythe numeral 10, comprises an inner tube 12 defining a bore 14 ofpredetermined size for conducting the fluids therethrough. The hose 10frequently is reinforced by a helically woven layer or layers of braidedmaterial. In the illustrated embodiment, the reinforcement comprises asheath 16 of woven wire braid, preferably having its strands partiallyembedded within the outer surface of the elastomeric material of thehose. However, it will be understood that the reinforcement layer maycomprise a separate sheath of wire or cloth braid, closely embracing therelaxed normal outer diameter of the inner tube 12. The reinforcementmay also take the form of a tubular layer of braidrelatively deeplyembedded within the wall of the inner tube 12. In any event, therelationship of the reinforcement layer of braided material and theorientation of the strands thereof to the tube 12 should be such that,upon a section of the hose 10 being subjected to opposed axial forces, areduction in outer diameter of the hose 10 is effected.

The invention may be employed with a wide variety of hose insert ornipple configurations. By way of example, the drawings show an endfitting 18 comprising an assembly of a coupling nut 20 and a nippledesignated generally by the numeral 22. As is best seen in FIG. 3, thenipple 22 is formed at one end with a head portion 24, of enlargeddiameter, adapted for reception within the coupling -nut 20, the latterbeing formed with a radially inwardly directed flange defining ashoulder 26 for seating the nipple head. The radially inner edge of thenut flange defines a bore 28 to rotatably seat the coupling nut upon acylindrical section 30, of smaller external diameter than the nipplehead 24.

The nipple 22 is formed with an axial bore 32 which, in the head end 24,develops into a conically tapered seat 34 adapted for the reception of aconventional fluid sealing means (not shown) upon the coupling nut20'being threaded onto the member to which the hose assembly is to besecured. Externally, that portion of the nipple 22 protruding out of thecoupling nut 20 is adapted for an interference fit with the normal,unstressed inner diameter of the inner tube 12, in order that when theend of the hose 10 is slipped over the nipple, the elastomeric materialof the inner tube 12 will be radially compressed between thereinforcement 16 and the outer surface of the nipple. Such interferencemay take a wide variety of forms, for example, a tapered or cylindricalouter surface of the nipple exceeding the diameter of the hose bore 14,or thread-like, circumferentially extending, circumferentially and/oraxially spaced external enlargements on the nipple 22.

Preferably, the nipple 22 is formed with a tapered nose 36 and aplurality of axially spaced'circumferentially extending flanges 38,between cylindrical sections or lands 40, the latter being ofapproximately the same or slightly larger diameter than the diameter ofthe hose bore 14. Those edges of the nose 42, while the other sidestaperingly converge in the opposite direction.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the hose 10 is shown in its unstressed, fullnormal diameter configuration and mounts a clamping means 46, axiallyspaced from the adjacent end of the hose, preferably, by a distance atleast as great as the exposed length of the nipple 22. The clampingmeans 46 is circumferentially continuous, integral section that may takethe form of a cylinder of essentially inelastic material, preferablymetallic, to provide sufficient hoop strength, during assembly and whenin final position, to prevent radial expansion of that portion of thehose l positively enclosed by the band. The axial dimension of the band46 may vary within a very wide range, proportionally to the size ofnipple and hose on which the clamping band or ring is to be mounted. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the clampingband 46, preferably, is of anaxial length slightly less than the axial distance of the land 40between the pair of adjacent flanges 38 around which the band is desiredto be positioned.

The inner diameter of the clamping band 46 may define a closely sliding,tightly embracing, or slight interference fit with the relaxed diameterof the relaxed hose 10. The band can inexpensively be made with itsleast diameter to precisely the desired size, to close tolerances, forthe kind of fit desired for the particular hose and nipple underconsideration. A close sliding fit is preferred whereby the band 46 maybe slipped over the end of the hose l0 and moved into the position shownin FIG. 1 without having to first contract the normal diameter of thehose by subjecting it to tension. After the band 46 has been placed onthe hose 10, a cap ferrule 48, integrally formed with a radiallyinwardly extending annular flange 50, is placed over the end of thehose. The inner diameter of the cylindrical portion of the cap 48 mayhave a loose or tight fit with the outer diameter of the hose 10, sinceit is not critical to the mode of coupling of this invention. The inneredge of the flange 50 of the cap defines an opening adapted to beslidably received on the cylindrical section 30 of the nipple 22.

After the parts have initially been brought into alignment, as shown inFIG. 1, the hose 10 and nipple 22 are first telescoped together, untilthe protective end cap 48 has its flange 50 against or closely adjacentto the opposed end of the coupling nut 20. It will be appreciated that,due to the interference between the exterior of the nipple and the bore14 of the inner tube 12, the two parts must be forced together in orderto fully telescope them. When the parts are thus initially joined, theclamping band 46 remains in substantially the same position relative tothe end of the hose 10 as it occupied in FIG. 1, while that portion ofthe hose 10 which is now mounted on the nipple 22 may be about the sameor slightly larger in overall diameter, as compared to its originaldiameter, as is indicated by the phantom outline outer diameterconfiguration 54 in FIG. 2. The axial volume of the elastomeric materialof the inner tube 12 between the reinforcement braid l6 and the exteriorof the nipple 22 is now radially com pressed between these two elements.

Next, axially opposed forces are imposed on the assembly as, forexample, by clamping the coupling nut 20 in a vise or the like andmanually or otherwise pulling outwardly on the hose 10 at a place beyondthe position of the clamping band 46. As a result of these opposedforces, the reinforcement braid 16 is constricted whereby the outerdiameter of the hose 10 is reduced over a substantial portion of itslength from, at least, that portion of the hose end within theprotective end cap 48 to the point of application of a pulling force tothe outer end of the hose 10. During the application of this force theinterference fit of the nipple 22 in the bore 14 of the inner tube 12and, particularly, the barb-like configuration of the shoulder 42 of thenipple, prevents separation of the hose from the nipple. The hose nowbeing reduced in diameter, as shownby the solid outline configuration inFIG. 2, the hose is necked down sufficiently over a sufficient portionof its axial length to provide a close, loose or easily sliding fitbetween the inner diameter of the band 46 and exterior of the hose andthe band is now moved to its final position between the nose flange 36and adjacent flange 38, as indicated in the phantom outline position ofthe band in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 2, as the band 46 is moved between the solid andphantom outline positions, its passage over the nose flange 36 can besensed. As will be apparent, the radial clearance between the innerdiameter of the band 46 and the outer diameters of the nose flange 36and adjacent flange 38 is restricted as compared to the radial clearancebetween the inner diameter of the band and the land 40 between these twoflanges. As a result, once the band 46 has been moved over the noseflange 36 and into annulus defining relationship with the land 40, thegreater radial compression of the elastomeric material appearing overthe peaks of the barbed flanges provides resistance to axialdisplacement of the band 46 out of registration with the land 40. Theband 46 is, in effect, self-centering with respect to any one of thelands 40.

FIG. 3 illustrates the finally assembled configuration and relationshipof the parts. For clarity of illustration, that portion of the hose 10surrounded by the band 46 appears to be necked down but is actually ofan outer diameter positively defined by the inner diameter of the band46 and, therefore, substantially the same as the original outer diameterof the hose in the unstressed condition of FIG. 1. At the same time,those portions of the hose 10 axially adjacent to the band 46 may beslightly larger in outer diameter than the original outer diameter ofthe hose because of expansion by the nipple.

While only one band 46 is shown, it will be appreciated that a pluralityof such bands could be employed or a plurality of rings of circularcross-section, all of which could be simultaneously or sequentially slidinto final adjacent or spaced positions around the nipple 22 during thestate of contraction of the hose illustrated in FIG. 2. The resultingclamp provides not only an effective mechanical lock against detachmentof the hose 10 from the nipple 22 but, also, a very affective fluidtight seal which is effective against high as well as medium fluidpressures. The external appearance of the completed coupling is shown atthe right hand side of FIG. 1.

The method just described may be employed with unreinforced elastomerichose. In such case, the end portion of the unreinforced hose, upon beingmounted on the nipple 22, is expanded in outer diameter as well as innerdiameter. Then, if necessary, a temporary split band clamp or the likemay be mounted around the end of the hose immediately adjacent thecoupling nut 20, to prevent detachment of the hose from the nipple whilethe hose is subjected to tension. Upon the hose being elasticallyelongated, it undergoes a reduction in outer diameter whereby the band46 may be advanced to final clamping position in the manner justdescribed.

In an alternative mode of operation, instead of the hose (whether of thereinforced or unreinforced type) being elastically elongated in order toreduce its diameter, the band 46 and nipple 22 may be relativelyoppositely moved towards one another without going through thecontracting step. More particularly, the band 46 is initially mounted onthe hose, at a location spaced from the adjacent end of the hose,leaving a hose end portion corresponding in length to the length of thenipple to be inserted within the hose end. Then, the hose 10, forexample, is engaged with the nipple 22 in the manner previouslydescribed, bringing the parts into the relationship illustrated in FIG.2. It will be observed that the band 46 in its solid outline position isnow positioned immediately adjacent to or around the end of the nipple22. Now, instead of subjecting the hose to tension, the band 46 may beheld stationary and the nipple 22 forced inwardly of the band until theparts are sufficiently relatively moved for the band 46 to assume thefinal clamping position illustrated in the phantom outline position ofFIG. 2. As before, the relative movement of the band 46 and nose flange36 may be sensed and the self-centering action occurs. While during thepushing of the nipple 22 into the band 46, some columnar compressionand, therefore, a tendency towards radial expansion of the outerdiameter of the hose 10, occurs, the hoop strength of the band 46positively confines that section of the hose passing therethrough to thedesired diameter.

As has been pointed out above, the method of this invention isapplicable to a wide variety of configurations of fittings and types ofhoses and, also, employs a mechanical clamping means which may beembodied in a variety of forms. Other variations of the method andclamping means within the purview of the invention may occur to personsskilled in the art, it being understood that the foregoing specificembodiments are by way of illustration and not limitation.

I claim:

1. The method of coupling an end portion of an elastomeric hose to anipple comprising:

positively defining an unyielding rigid endless clamping surface of adiameter in substantially continuous circumferential contact with theouter diameter of the hose, while the hose is relaxed, at an initiallocation axially spaced from the adjacent end of the hose by, at least,the length of the nipple;

telescopically joining the nipple and the end of the hose to effectelastic deformation of the inner diameter of the hose into close,substantially conforming, constrictive engagement with the nipple;

and oppositely relatively moving the nipple and clamping surface torelatively translate the unyielding clamping surface intoannulus-defining relationship to the nipple to radially compress acircumferential portion of the hose within the annulus and withinpositive external limits defined by the diameter of the unyieldingsurface.

2. The method of claim 1 in which an elastically elongating force isapplied to the end portion of the hose to constrict the outer diameterof the hose, while concurrently maintaining the hose end on the nipple,

thereafter, moving the clamping surface axially of the constricted hoseinto the annulus-defining relationship with the nipple,

and, thereafter, releasing the elongating force to effect radialcompression of a circumferential portion of the hose in the annulus.

3. The method of claim 2 in which expansion of the outer diameter of theend portion of the hose is yieldably resisted throughout thecircumference and length of the end portion of the hose in order toradially compress the hose against the nipple upon inserting the nippleinto the end of the hose.

4. The method of claim 1 in which the clamping surface is initiallylocated at a position axially spaced from the adjacent end of the hoseto define an end portion of the hose of the length of the nipple to bereceived therein,

thereafter, internally elastically expanding the inner diameter of thehose by inserting the nipple into the end of the hose for positioningthe inner end of the nipple closely adjacent the clamping surface; and,thereafter, rigidly holding the clamping surface in a stationaryposition while concurrently forcing the nipple and the end portion ofthe hose carried thereby inwardly of the clamping surface for apredetermined axial length of the hose end portion. 5. The method ofcoupling an end portion of an elastomeric hose to a nipple comprising:

telescopically joining the nipple and the end of the hose to effectelastic deformation of the inner diameter of the hose into tightlyconstricting engagement with the nipple;

applying an elastically elongating force to the end portion of the hoseto reduce the outer diameter of the hose and to effect radialcompression of the hose on the nipple for maintaining the hose end onthe nipple;

positioning an integral endless clamping surface, of an unyieldinginternal diameter at least slidably exceeding the reduced outer diameterof the hose, around the constricted hose and over the nipple;

and, thereafter, releasing the elongating force to effect radialcompression of a circumferential portion of the hose in the annulusdefined between the unyielding clamping surface and the nipple.

6. The method of claim 5 in which expansion of the outer diameter of theend portion of the hose is yieldably resisted throughout thecircumference and length of the end portion of the hose in order toradially compress the hose against the nipple upon inserting the nippleinto the end of the hose.

7. The method of claim 5 in which:

the clamping surface is rigidly defined prior to inserting the nippleinto the end of the hose and, initially, around the end portion of thehose at a position spaced from the end of the hose,

to be subsequently translated axially of the hose, during the step ofapplying an elastically elongating force to the hose to constricttheouter diameter of the hose, to a position around the nipple.

8. The method of claim 7 in which the clamping surface is initiallydefined, prior to mounting on the hose, of a diameter to closely embracethe outer diameter defined by the hose when the hose is in asubstantially relaxed state, and thereafter, telescopically mountedaround the hose at the position spaced from the end of the hose.

9. A quick connecting hose comprising:

a flexible hose made of an elastomeric material;

a hose reinforcing means, extending cylindrically continuously for thelength of said hose, that is yieldably reduced in diameter in responseto tension being imposed thereon;

a cylindrical wall portion, at least, of said hose being containedwithin said reinforcing means to be radially contracted by tension insaid reinforcing means; and a rigid, unyielding, annular clamping meansmounted around said hose,

said clamping means having an inner diameter in circumferentialsubstantially continuous contact with the normal diameter of said hosebefore and after a nipple is inserted into the hose and clamped theretoby said clamping means,

whereby, upon a nipple having been inserted in an end of said hose toexpansively stress said hose, tension may be applied to said reinforcingmeans to constrict said hose to less than normal diameter and saidclamping means can be freely moved axially of said hose to a clampingposition over the nipple in order to rigidly confine and clamp acircumferential portion of said hose against the nipple, after releaseof such tension.

10. A hose assembly as in claim 9 in which said hose reinforcing meanscomprises a mesh of helically braided strands of material.

11. A hose assembly as in claim 10 in which said mesh is in contact withthe outer diameter of said hose and is adapted to yieldably resistexpansion of said hose beyond its normal diameter.

12. A hose assembly as in claim 10 in which said reinforcing meanscomprises a mesh of metallic strands embedded, at least partially, inthe elastomeric material of said hose.

13. A hose assembly as in claim 9 in which said clamping means has apart, at least, of its inner diameter in cylindrical configuration andadapted for sliding engagement with the normal outer diameter of saidhose.

14. A hose assembly as in claim 9 in which said clamping means has apart, at least, of its inner diameter in cylindrical configuration andadapted for frictional clamping engagement with the normal outerdiameter of said hose.

15. In a coupling having a braid reinforced elastomeric hose mounting anipple in one end thereof, the improvement comprising:

means on the outer and inner diameters of the nipple and the hose,respectively, forming an interference fit between the hose and nipplewhich elastically internally expands, the portion of the hose on thenipple,

said means also resisting axial separation of the hose from the nipplewhen the hose is subjected to tension induced by pulling on the braidreinforcement of the hose;

and unyielding integrally formed rigid annular clamping ference meanscomprises a plurality of axially spaced apart circumferential ridgesexternally formed on said nipple and having diameters in excess of thenormal inner diameter of the hose.

17. The improvement as in claim 16 in which said clamping meanscomprises a cylindrical band having an axial length of at least theaxial dimension of one of said flanges.

18. The improvement as in claim 16 in which said clamping meanscomprises a cylindrical band having an axial length less than the axialdimension between corresponding points of adjacent ones of said axiallyspaced apart ridges.

i i II! t

1. The method of coupling an end portion of an elastomeric hose to anipple comprising: positively defining an unyielding rigid endlessclamping surface of a diameter in substantially continuouscircumferential contact with the outer diameter of the hose, while thehose is relaxed, at an initial location axially spaced from the adjacentend of the hose by, at least, the length of the nipple; telescopicallyjoining the nipple and the end of the hose to effect elastic deformationof the inner diameter of the hose into close, substantially conforming,constrIctive engagement with the nipple; and oppositely relativelymoving the nipple and clamping surface to relatively translate theunyielding clamping surface into annulus-defining relationship to thenipple to radially compress a circumferential portion of the hose withinthe annulus and within positive external limits defined by the diameterof the unyielding surface.
 2. The method of claim 1 in which anelastically elongating force is applied to the end portion of the hoseto constrict the outer diameter of the hose, while concurrentlymaintaining the hose end on the nipple, thereafter, moving the clampingsurface axially of the constricted hose into the annulus-definingrelationship with the nipple, and, thereafter, releasing the elongatingforce to effect radial compression of a circumferential portion of thehose in the annulus.
 3. The method of claim 2 in which expansion of theouter diameter of the end portion of the hose is yieldably resistedthroughout the circumference and length of the end portion of the hosein order to radially compress the hose against the nipple upon insertingthe nipple into the end of the hose.
 4. The method of claim 1 in whichthe clamping surface is initially located at a position axially spacedfrom the adjacent end of the hose to define an end portion of the hoseof the length of the nipple to be received therein, thereafter,internally elastically expanding the inner diameter of the hose byinserting the nipple into the end of the hose for positioning the innerend of the nipple closely adjacent the clamping surface; and,thereafter, rigidly holding the clamping surface in a stationaryposition while concurrently forcing the nipple and the end portion ofthe hose carried thereby inwardly of the clamping surface for apredetermined axial length of the hose end portion.
 5. The method ofcoupling an end portion of an elastomeric hose to a nipple comprising:telescopically joining the nipple and the end of the hose to effectelastic deformation of the inner diameter of the hose into tightlyconstricting engagement with the nipple; applying an elasticallyelongating force to the end portion of the hose to reduce the outerdiameter of the hose and to effect radial compression of the hose on thenipple for maintaining the hose end on the nipple; positioning anintegral endless clamping surface, of an unyielding internal diameter atleast slidably exceeding the reduced outer diameter of the hose, aroundthe constricted hose and over the nipple; and, thereafter, releasing theelongating force to effect radial compression of a circumferentialportion of the hose in the annulus defined between the unyieldingclamping surface and the nipple.
 6. The method of claim 5 in whichexpansion of the outer diameter of the end portion of the hose isyieldably resisted throughout the circumference and length of the endportion of the hose in order to radially compress the hose against thenipple upon inserting the nipple into the end of the hose.
 7. The methodof claim 5 in which: the clamping surface is rigidly defined prior toinserting the nipple into the end of the hose and, initially, around theend portion of the hose at a position spaced from the end of the hose,to be subsequently translated axially of the hose, during the step ofapplying an elastically elongating force to the hose to constrict theouter diameter of the hose, to a position around the nipple.
 8. Themethod of claim 7 in which the clamping surface is initially defined,prior to mounting on the hose, of a diameter to closely embrace theouter diameter defined by the hose when the hose is in a substantiallyrelaxed state, and thereafter, telescopically mounted around the hose atthe position spaced from the end of the hose.
 9. A quick connecting hosecomprising: a flexible hose made of an elastomeric material; a hosereinforcing means, extending cylindrically continuously for the lengthoF said hose, that is yieldably reduced in diameter in response totension being imposed thereon; a cylindrical wall portion, at least, ofsaid hose being contained within said reinforcing means to be radiallycontracted by tension in said reinforcing means; and a rigid,unyielding, annular clamping means mounted around said hose, saidclamping means having an inner diameter in circumferential substantiallycontinuous contact with the normal diameter of said hose before andafter a nipple is inserted into the hose and clamped thereto by saidclamping means, whereby, upon a nipple having been inserted in an end ofsaid hose to expansively stress said hose, tension may be applied tosaid reinforcing means to constrict said hose to less than normaldiameter and said clamping means can be freely moved axially of saidhose to a clamping position over the nipple in order to rigidly confineand clamp a circumferential portion of said hose against the nipple,after release of such tension.
 10. A hose assembly as in claim 9 inwhich said hose reinforcing means comprises a mesh of helically braidedstrands of material.
 11. A hose assembly as in claim 10 in which saidmesh is in contact with the outer diameter of said hose and is adaptedto yieldably resist expansion of said hose beyond its normal diameter.12. A hose assembly as in claim 10 in which said reinforcing meanscomprises a mesh of metallic strands embedded, at least partially, inthe elastomeric material of said hose.
 13. A hose assembly as in claim 9in which said clamping means has a part, at least, of its inner diameterin cylindrical configuration and adapted for sliding engagement with thenormal outer diameter of said hose.
 14. A hose assembly as in claim 9 inwhich said clamping means has a part, at least, of its inner diameter incylindrical configuration and adapted for frictional clamping engagementwith the normal outer diameter of said hose.
 15. In a coupling having abraid reinforced elastomeric hose mounting a nipple in one end thereof,the improvement comprising: means on the outer and inner diameters ofthe nipple and the hose, respectively, forming an interference fitbetween the hose and nipple which elastically internally expands, theportion of the hose on the nipple, said means also resisting axialseparation of the hose from the nipple when the hose is subjected totension induced by pulling on the braid reinforcement of the hose; andunyielding integrally formed rigid annular clamping means positionedover the nipple, said clamping means having an inner diameter, prior toand after positioning over the nipple, substantially equal to the normalouter diameter of the hose, said clamping means being slidable to aposition over the nipple when the outer diameter of the hose portion iscontracted to normal, at least, by tension in the braid reinforcement ofthe hose.
 16. The improvement as in claim 15 in which said interferencemeans comprises a plurality of axially spaced apart circumferentialridges externally formed on said nipple and having diameters in excessof the normal inner diameter of the hose.
 17. The improvement as inclaim 16 in which said clamping means comprises a cylindrical bandhaving an axial length of at least the axial dimension of one of saidflanges.
 18. The improvement as in claim 16 in which said clamping meanscomprises a cylindrical band having an axial length less than the axialdimension between corresponding points of adjacent ones of said axiallyspaced apart ridges.